EN388 | Mechanical Risk | Work Gloves
EN388 is the most common glove standard for general mechanical handling applications in the work place. The most recent revision of this standard is EN 388: 2016 + A1: 2018.
The test is broken down into four different elements which are Abrasion, Cut, Tear, Puncture, and impact. The combined score represents the overall protective performance of the glove.
Using the performance level of the glove this can be defined to the wearers working environment to ensure optimium protection.
Abrasion Test
The abrasion test is performed on the Martindale abrasion machine. A sample is cut from the palm of the glove and fitted to the machine. The machine moves in a cycler motive using Klingspor PL31B 180 grit sandpaper. Four samples are tested until a there is a hole in the material. The performance level is defined by the lowest result.
Cut Coupe Test
Samples are taken from the palm of the glove and placed on a machine. A circular, rotating blade similar to a pizza cutter, moves backwards and forwards on the sample until it breaks through the material sample. The performance is defined on the cycle count of breakthrough and against the dulling of the blade.
Tear Test
Tear resistance is defined as ‘the force necessary to propagate a tear
in a rectangular specimen slit half-way along its length’. The tear
resistance is therefore not an indication of the protection against a
specific risk, but of the mechanical resistance of the glove’s fabric. So
while a high number would be better if you are seeking a rugged
glove, a low number would be required if there is any risk of
entanglement in moving machinery.
Puncture Test
The puncture resistance of a glove shows the force required for a steel stylus to puncture the fabric. This is not an indication of the resistance to piercing with a sharply pointed object but the resistance to contact with sharp edges.
Cut TDM Test
The flat blade test could be argued that it better represents how a cut occurs. A sample is taken from the glove palm and a flat blade under force is drawn across the fabric sample. This test method is based on EN ISO 13997 and the result is based on Newton force. There are 6 cut levels.
Impact Test
This is an optional test for gloves that claim to offer impact resistant properties, added to the back of the hand and/or the knuckles. Testing is carried out in accordance with EN13594:2015 6.9 Protective Gloves for Motorcycle Riders. To test the glove, the area of protection is secured over a domed anvil and is impacted by an impact energy of 5J.